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The objective of this study was to determine if a blend of capsicum oleoresin, clove essential oil, and garlic essential oil (CCG; Fytera Advance - Selko USA, Indianapolis IN) influences measures of cattle performance during the initial 56-d feedlot receiving phase. Newly weaned Charolais × Angus steers [n = 256; initial shrunk body weight (BW) = 273 ± 26 kg) were used in 56-d receiving phase experiment. Steers were transported 513 km to the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD on the day of weaning. Steers were individually weighed and allotted to 1 of 32 pens (n = 8 steers; 8 pens/treatment) in a randomized complete block design and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: control diet with no test product (CON); CCG at 125 mg/steer daily (CCG1); CCG at 250 mg/steer daily (CCG2); or CCG at 500 mg/steer daily (CCG3). Steers were fed twice daily, and bunks were managed using a slick bunk system from d 14 to 56; feed deliveries during the first 14 d were managed by feedlot personnel to adapt cattle to a targeted dry matter intake (DMI). The basal diet provided: 13.8% CP, 1.74 Mcal/kg NEm, and 1.07 Mcal/kg NEg. Monensin sodium was fed to all steers at a rate of 25 g/907 kg (DM basis). Steers were individually weighed on d -1, 1, 14, 35, and 56. Daily dry matter intake (DMI) was influenced by dietary treatment (quadratic effect; P= 0.01) in which steers that were fed with CON or CCG3 had greater DMI than those subjected to CCG1 and CCG2 dietary regimens. However, CCG supplementation did not result in improvements in average daily gain nor gain to feed ratio (P≥ 0.15). A tendency for a treatment × day interaction was noted for sera non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA; P= 0.06), on d 14, steers from CCG3 had greater NEFA compared with CON and steers from CCG1 and CCG2 were intermediate (P≤ 0.05). Dietary treatment influenced (P= 0.04) circulating concentrations of ceruloplasmin (CPL), where steers from CCG2 and CCG3 resulted in decreased circulating concentrations of CPL compared with CON and CCG1, indicating less inflammation. In conclusion, steers supplemented CCG3 had greater DMI and decreased ceruloplasmin suggesting an overall improvement in health status. Steers from CCG3 had increased NEFA on d 14, which could imply a catabolic state; However, sera NEFA decreased over time compared with the other treatments. More research is necessary to determine the consistency of the performance responses and better understand the correct dosage of CCG fed to newly weaned beef calves.

The objective of this study was to estimate the ruminal degradation profile of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP) in concentrate-based diets with different levels of inclusion of dried distiller’s grains plus solubles (DDGS) and soybean meal (SBM). Red Angus steers [n = 4; body weight (BW) = 360 ± 9 kg] with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas, were used in a 4 × 4 latin square. Diets (TMR) consisted of dry-rolled corn (70%), hay (10%), liquid supplement (5%), and test ingredients (15%). Treatments were (DM basis): 1) 15.0% DDGS (CON); SBM in replacement of 50% of DDGS (SBM50); SBM in replacement of 75% of DDGS (SBM75), and SBM in replacement of 100% of DDGS (SBM100). Each period lasted 18-d, consisting of a 7-d diet adaptation followed by an 11-d collection period. An in situ ruminal incubation of each TMR was performed from d 8 to 11 of each period. Ingredients were weighed separately, maintaining their proportion in the TMR. Air-dried TMR sample (6 g, 2 mm grind) was ruminally incubated in a nylon bag (Ankom, 10 × 20 cm) using the same steer from the in vivo study. Samples were incubated for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, and 72 h. The number of bags varied as a function of the incubation time to guarantee enough residual samples after incubation, where more bags per sample were incubated for the longer incubation times relative to the shorter incubation times (72 and 48 h, n = 5; 24 h, n = 4; 16 h, n = 3; 8 h and 4 h, n = 2; 2 h and 0 h, n = 1). DM, OM, and CP degradation were estimated by using the following model: Yt = a + b × (1 − e(−kd × t)), The NLIN procedure of SAS 9.4 was used and restricted and full models were compared by a likelihood ratio test. Rumen degradable protein (RDP) of each TMR was calculated as follows: RDP = a + b + [kd/(kd + kp)], where kp was 0.05 h−1). There were no differences (P≥ 0.47) on the fractions a, b, and kd, or RDP (55%) between treatments for DM, OM, and CP. According to our analysis, approximately 13 h of incubation is necessary to accurately estimate the RDP content of the TMR. The NASEM (2016) adopts 35 and 75% of RDP for DDGS and SBM, respectively, based on fixed incubation time of 16 h. Most studies have evaluated degradation profiles of individual feed and not TMR; however, animals are fed complete diets, made up by feedstuff that vary in physical characteristics, nutrient composition, and consequently RDP. In this study, the similar degradation profiles between diets suggest that RDP of complete diets differs from that of individually assayed ingredients.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of substitution of dried distiller grains with soybean meal on beef cattle diets in ruminal ammonia and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations. Red Angus steers [n = 4; body weight (BW) = 360 ± 9 kg] with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas, were used in a 4 × 4 latin square. Diets (TMR) consisted of dry-rolled corn (70%), hay (10%), liquid supplement (5%), and test ingredients (15%). Treatments were [dry matter (DM) basis]: 1) 15.0% DDGS (CON); SBM in replacement of 50% of DDGS (SBM50); SBM in replacement of 75% of DDGS (SBM75), and SBM in replacement of 100% of DDGS (SBM100). Each period lasted 18-d, consisting of a 7-d diet adaptation followed by an 11-d collection period. Rumen fluid was collected at -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h post-feeding on d 16. Ruminal digesta was strained through two layers of cheesecloth and two 10-mL aliquots of ruminal fluid were collected and stored at −20°C until further analysis of ammonia and VFA concentrations. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using the MIXED procedure of SAS with treatment, sampling time, and their interaction as fixed effects, and animal and period as random effects. No treatment by day interactions (P≥ 0.84) were observed for ammonia or VFA. Ammonia concentrations were greater (P≤ 0.01) for SBM75 compared with SBM100 and CON, with intermediate values observed for SBM50 (Table 1). Moreover, ammonia was greater (P≤ 0.01) at 0h compared with 6, 8, and 12h post-feeding. Acetate was greater (P≤ 0.01) for SBM75 and SBM100 compared with CON and SBM50. Concentrations of propionate were greatest (P≤ 0.01) for SBM100 and least for CON, with SBM50 and SBM75 being intermediate. Further, propionate was greater (P≤ 0.01) at 16h compared with 0 and 2 h post-feeding, with all other times being intermediate. Isobutyrate was less (P≤ 0.01) for CON than all other treatments, and greater concentrations (P≤ 0.01) were observed at -2 compared with 14 and 16 h post-feeding. Butyrate was greatest (P≤ 0.01) in SBM75, followed by CON and SBM50; SBM50 was similar to SBM100. Butyrate concentrations were similar -2 and 0 h post feeding, which were less (P≤ 0.01) than all other times. Isovalerate was greater (P≤ 0.01) for CON than SBM50 and SBM75, and similar to SBM100. Valerate was greatest (P≤ 0.01) for SBM75 and SBM100 followed by SBM 50 and CON which had the least valerate value. Overall, our results show that SBM75 resulted in greater concentrations of ammonia, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and valerate compared with CON. These data suggest that 75% substitution of DDGS with SBM has the potential to optimize microbial fermentation. To complement these results, we are currently evaluating rumen protein degradation profiles and amino acid flow to small intestine.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of oral administration of Megasphaera elsdeniiNCIMB 41125 (ME) during finishing diet realimentation on fecal consistency, clinical depression, and rumination of feedlot steers. Steers [n = 60; initial body weight (BW) = 591 kg ± 38 kg] were assigned to microbial supplement treatment in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were 1) no ME (CON); and 2) orally administered microbial supplement (1 x 1010colony forming units ME/capsule; LP) immediately before diet reintroduction. Preceding study initiation, steers consumed a finishing diet with 88% concentrate [dry matter (DM) basis] primarily consisting of whole shelled corn and corn silage for 200 d. Steers were transported from a local feedyard 27 km and upon arrival offered ad libitum long stem hay. Forty-eight h after arrival, steers were reintroduced to a 90% concentrate (DM basis) finishing diet with consisting of dry-rolled corn, dried distiller’s grains plus solubles, liquid supplement, and wheat hay. The diet was introduced initially at 1.5% BW on 0 d, and daily delivery was increased until cattle reached their intake plateau at which point a slick bunk management system was employed. At initial processing, all steers received respiratory and clostridial vaccines and were fitted with wireless rumination tags to track daily rumination throughout the 42-d study. Fecal consistency (FCS) and clinical depression scores (CD) were collected starting 24 h after diet initiation, and subsequent collections occurred at 24 h intervals until 168 h. Fecal consistency was recorded on 20 random pen surface fecal samples and CD was recorded for individual steer. Categorical distributions for FCS and CD were analyzed with the Fisher’s Exact Test. Rumination data was analyzed as a linear mixed model with fixed effects of treatment, days on feed (DOF), and their interaction with a random effect of block and DOF as a repeated measure. For all analyses, P≤ 0.05 was declared significant and 0.05 > P≤ 0.10 was considered a tendency. No difference (P≥ 0.49) was observed for CD at all time points. Additionally, no difference (P≥ 0.12) was observed for FCS at 24, 48, 72, 120, 144, and 168 h. Fecal consistency tended (P= 0.10) to differ at 96 h, with CON exhibiting a 67% decrease in FCS 1 and 2. No significant (P≥ 0.78) treatment × DOF interaction was noted for daily minutes ruminating. A significant (P< 0.01) DOF effect was realized for daily minutes ruminating. Minutes ruminating differed (P< 0.01) between treatments, with CON steers ruminating 6% more minutes daily than LP steers. Oral administration of ME had minimal effects on FCS and CD and decreased daily rumination time in feedlot steers during finishing diet realimentation.

The objective of this study was to determine if a formulated blend of capsicum oleoresin, clove essential oil, and garlic essential oil (CCG; Fytera Advance - Selko USA, Indianapolis IN) influences measures of cattle growth, efficiency, health, or carcass traits, during the finishing phase in steers fed a concentrate-based diet. Charolais × Angus steers [n = 96; initial shrunk body weight (BW) = 391 ± 34.0 kg] were used in a 144-d finishing experiment at the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD. Steers were individually weighed and allotted to one of 14 pens (n = 6 to 7 steers; 7 pens/treatment) in a randomized complete block design and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: control diet without the test product (CON) or a diet including CCG at 500 mg/steer daily (CCG). The average nutrient content of the finishing diet was: 13.5% CP; 18.7% NDF; 2.06 Mcal/kg NEm; and 1.39 Mcal/kg NEg; monensin sodium was included in the diet at 30 g/907 kg. Steers were fed twice daily, and bunks were managed according to a slick bunk system. There were no differences (P≥ 0.10) in any growth performance outcome from d 1 to 35, 36 to 70, or 71 to 98. The within pen standard deviation for average daily gain (ADG) from d 71 to 98 tended to be reduced (P= 0.10) for CCG steers compared with CON. From d 99 to 144 steers supplemented CCG had 5% greater dietary energy utilization (P= 0.01), tended to have 5% greater ADG (P= 0.09), and 8% improved feed efficiency (P= 0.01). Experimental periods when improved pen gain uniformity and feed efficiency were observed coincided with increased summertime temperatures. No differences (P≥ 0.15) were noted for cumulative growth performance. No differences were noted for any carcass measurements or categorical carcass outcomes, nor lung or liver health outcomes (P≥ 0.15). Use of CCG had no appreciable influence on any cumulative growth performance responses. However, the use of CCG decreased within pen variation in ADG indicating more uniform nutrient intake among cattle and increased feed efficiency during summertime heat events.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing inclusion of extruded and expelled soybean meal (EESBM) as a partial replacement of dried distiller’s grains plus solubles (DDGS) feedlot performance and carcass characteristics in steers. Steers [n = 144; initial shrunk body weight (BW) = 399 ± 27 kg] were assigned to 1 of 18 pens (8 steers/pen). Pens were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments (6 pens/treatment): 100% DDGS included at 15% of diet dry matter (DM; NO-SBM), a blend of 70% DDGS and 30% SBM included at 15% of diet DM (30-EESBM), and a blend of 40% DDGS and 60% SBM included at 15% of diet DM (60-EESBM) in a randomized complete block design with pen as experimental unit. Data were analyzed as a RCBD with fixed effects of treatment and random effect of block (location within feedyard). Linear and quadratic contrasts were used to assess EESBM level effects. All growth performance results were determined on a carcass-adjusted [hot carcass weight (HCW)/0.625] basis. Supplementation of EESBM increased (P≤ 0.04) final BW and average daily gain (ADG) by 1.6 and 3.8%, respectively. Additionally, dietary treatment tended to result in increased (P≤ 0.07) DMI and improved feed conversion by 1.2 and 2.6%. Final BW, ADG and gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased (linear; P≤ 0.03) with increasing inclusion of EESBM in replacement of DDGS. Dry matter intake (DMI) tended to increase quadratically (P= 0.10) with increasing EESBM inclusion. No differences (P≥ 0.37) were observed in any other carcass-adjusted growth performance responses as well as apparent utilization of dietary net energy (P≥ 0.15). Increasing inclusion of EESBM resulted in a linear increase (P= 0.02) in HCW. A tendency for a linear increase (P= 0.09) was noted for empty body fat% with greater EESBM inclusion. No other differences (P≥ 0.12) were observed in carcass performance, distribution of yield and quality grades, and lung and liver health outcomes. In conclusion, feeding EESBM as a partial replacement of DDGS resulted in greater DMI, ADG and carcass weight, without negatively influencing measures of carcass quality or cutability. Under the conditions of this experiment, the NE value of EESBM is 8.5% greater than DDGS.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of phase-fed rolled hybrid rye on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers. Backgrounded steers [n = 110; initial shrunk (4% of body weight; BW) = 391 ± 1.3 kg] were assigned to 1 of 14 pens at the Southeast Research Farm, Beresford, SD in a randomized complete block design. Pens were blocked by location with four blocks of dirt-surfaced, outside pens (8 pens; 10 steers/pen) and three blocks of concrete-surfaced, partially covered pens (6 pens; 5 steers/pen). Pens were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments (7 pens/treatment): dry rolled corn (DRC) included at 66% diet dry matter (DM) or rolled hybrid rye (RRYE) included at 66% diet DM for the initial 46 d of the experiment followed by the DRC diet from d 47 to trial completion on d 144. One steer was removed from the study because of lameness. During the rye feeding period (d1 to d 46), RRYE decreased average daily gain (ADG) by 13% (P= 0.01; 1.59 and 1.83 kg, respectively) and DMI by 18% (P= 0.01; 8.45 and 10.30 kg, respectively) with no effect (P= 0.15) on gain to feed ratio (G:F) compared with DRC. Negative effects of RRYE were more pronounced during the first 20 d of the experiment with ADG reduced by 29% (P= 0.01; 1.13 and 1.60 kg, respectively), DMI by 15% (P= 0.01; 8.20 and 9.61 kg, respectively), and G:F by 17% (P= 0.01; 0.139 and 0.167, respectively). Dietary net energy values for RRYE were increased (P≤ 0.03) from d 1 to 46. Feeding rye reduced BW on d 46 by 10 kg compared with DRC (P= 0.01; 474 and 464 kg, respectively). From d 47 to 144 when all steers were fed a common diet there were no differences (P≥ 0.38) in any growth performance responses or measures of dietary net energy utilization. When measured over the entire experiment, DMI tended to be less (P= 0.08) for RRYE compared with DRC with no effect on ADG or G:F (P≥ 0.19). Final BW was numerically reduced in the RRYE treatment compared with DRC (P= 0.21; 614 and 623 kg, respectively). Cumulative observed-to-expected ratios for NEm and NEg were increased (P= 0.05) for RRYE compared with DRC. Dietary treatments did not affect (P≥ 0.29) carcass characteristics, distribution of USDA yield or quality grades, or liver abscess incidence or severity. Feeding rolled rye decreased ADG, DMI, and G:F during the first 46 DOF with similar growth performance when fed a DRC-based diet for the final 98 d.

The objective of this study was to determine if partial or complete replacement of dried distiller’s grains plus solubles (DDGS) with solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM) influences growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy utilization, sera urea-N (SUN) concentrations, or carcass traits in finishing beef steers. Continental × British steers [initial shrunk body weight (BW) = 382 ± 37 kg] were used in a 139-d experiment. Treatments included: DDGS fed at 20% DM (13.4% CP; DDGS), SBM replacing 50% of DDGS (14.4% CP; SBM50), and SBM replacing 100% of DDGS (15.4% CP; SBM100). Steers (n = 189) were weighed and allotted to 1 of 24 pens (n = 8 steers per pen; 8 pens per treatment) at the Ruminant Nutrition Center near Brookings, SD. Whole blood was collected and harvested as sera on d 77, 105, and 139 to determine SUN concentration. Growth and carcass data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 with treatment and block (initial BW grouping) as fixed effects; SUN data were analyzed using repeated measures, pen was the experimental unit. Inclusion level was evaluated for linear and quadratic components by the method of orthogonal polynomials. Final BW was calculated by dividing hot carcass weight (HCW) by 0.625. No differences were noted (P≥ 0.18) for final BW, average daily gain, dry matter intake, or feed efficiency. Dietary treatment tended to affect gain to feed ratio (G:F; quadratic; P= 0.10) and SBM increased the apparent efficiency of energy capture. Treatment had no effect (P≥ 0.22) on HCW, rib fat, marbling score, USDA yield grade, or final BW adjusted to 28% empty body fat. Complete replacement of DDGS with SBM increased rib eye area by 1% (linear; P= 0.02), but decreased dressing percentage (linear, P= 0.03). Distribution of USDA quality or yield grades were unaffected by treatment (P≥ 0.36). No treatment × day interaction was observed for SUN (P= 0.20). However, day (P< 0.01) and treatment (P< 0.01) effects were observed. Initial samples (d 77) differed between DDGS and SBM treatments, with the latter having greater SUN values (P< 0.01). On d 105, the SBM100 treatment had greater SUN than DDGS, and SBM50 was intermediate (P< 0.01). On d 139, steers from SBM100 had elevated increased SUN compared with SBM50 and DDGS treatments (P< 0.01). Net energy values calculated from animal performance for DDGS agreed closely with tabular estimates. In this experiment, replacement of DDGS with SBM increased the observed to expected ratio of dietary NE, increased muscularity and tended to decrease DP with no other observed effects on growth performance or carcass traits.